Congress cannot wait for the economy to recover to enact reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, according to an Iowa congressman positioned to play a significant role in addressing the issue.

“We have ignored this problem for far too long,” said Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat who was recently awarded a seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “It’s time to start working.”

Business groups warn that imposing limits on emissions will drive up energy costs at a time when manufacturers already are shedding jobs by the thousands because of the global economic downturn. Manufacturers in Iowa and nationwide also worry that they’ll be put at a disadvantage to competitors in China and other countries that are building new coal-fired power plants.

“We need to have a grown-up conversation about what we can do and in the time frame that we need to do it without an undue disruption of the economy,” said Hank Cox, a spokesman for the National Association of Manufacturers. Its members include firms that are based in Iowa or have major operations there, including Vermeer Corp., Terra Industries Inc., Whirlpool Corp., and Bunge North America.

However, two growing sectors of Iowa’s economy, ethanol and wind energy, would benefit from increasing the cost of gasoline andcoal-generated electricity.

President-elect Barack Obama has made clear through a series of key appointments that the issue is going to be a top priority for his administration. Democratic congressional leaders have delivered the same message as well.

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